Spinning-top.



No. 696,7!9. Patented Apr. I", 1902.

u. c. COVERT.

SPINNING TOP.

(Application filed June 17, 1901.)

(No meal.)

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HENRY C. COVERT, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

SPINNING-TOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,719, dated April 1, 1902.

Application filed June 17, 1901.

T0 ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY C. COVERT, of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Spinning-Tops; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full,clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in-

Figure 1, a side view of a top constructed in accordance with'rny invention; Fig. 2, a broken sectional View thereof; Fig. 3, a side view of one end of a top-string used in connection with my improved top; Fig. 4, a sectional View of the stiffened end of the string enlarged.

This invention relates to an improvement in spinning-tops, and particularly to the class commonly known as peg-tops. In spinning-tops of this class it is customary when winding the string to loop one end of the string around the upper end of the top or to hold it against one side of the top. When the loop is formed, a knot is necessary, but not otherwise, except to prevent the string from ravelin g. A common practice with boys, hOWGVEIQlS to use a string without a knot and to repeatedly wet the end of the string in the month. As this string is dragged upon the ground it soon becomes soiled and is a very unclean practice. When a loop is formed, it often slips in winding the top and more or less difficulty is experienced in holding the string against the side of the top when the loop is not formed. It a knotted string is used, it frequently happens that the string tangles at the peg and the top is drawn forcibly backward by the withdrawal of the string.

The object of this invention is to provide the top with a recess into which one end of the string may be inserted and so as to be held therein, but from which it is free to escape when the top is thrown for spinning;

- and the invention consists in forming a top with a small opening in its upper end or in one side, into which the stiffened end of a string may be inserted, as more fully hereinafter described, and particularly recited in top in the usual manner.

the claim.

-Serial No. 64,772. (No model.)

The top A is of the usual form of peg-top that is, substantially hemispherical or rounding at its upper end and gradually tapered to the usual peg B at its lower end. In the upper end of the top instead of providing ahead, as usual in this class of tops, but which is most generally removed by the user, I form a comparatively small longitudinal recess C, into which I preferably insert a circular bushing D, of metal. be formed eccentric to the center or in one side of the top, extending transversely into it, if desired, and this opening may also be provided with a bushing F, as shown in Fig. 2, although only one opening is required and the bushings may be omitted.

With a top provided with an opening or openings thus described I employa string G, which is the usual top-string, except that I provide its outer end with a stiffened end H, and this end may be formed by wrapping the string with a metal or winding it with wire in the manner of stiffening the ends of shoe-strings, or it may be dipped in paint or other substance, Which-will harden and form astiff end. The length of this end corresponds substantially to the length of the recesses in the top, and preparatory to winding the string upon the top the stiffened end is inserted into one of the recesses O or E. As shown in Fig. 2, it is inserted into the recess in the upper end of the top, from which it is carried down to the peg and wound upon the body of the When the top is thrown, the string readily slips out of the opening, but remains there momentarily, so.

that the spinner has more or less control over the top-that is, he can cause the top to bound toward him if he so desires or cause it to remain in substantially the place where it strikes; but in no event is it liable to be thrown beyond the will of the spinner. I

The formation of one or more recesses in the top adds very little to the cost of manic facture and the expense of stiffening the ends of top-strings is so small that the sale price of tops and strings is not materially increased.

With this construction it is unnecessary to form a knot in the string, and when the stiffened end is placed into an opening in the side of the top it is as securely held as though it were placed in the opening in the upper A similar recess E may end, as the string is drawn at substantially a right angle to the stiffened end, which is thereby caused to bind in the opening. This string of course does not require Wetting, and hence is much more cleanly. By thus holding the string the winding is facilitated and the dangerot' the stringentanglingat the peg is avoided.

I am aware that tops have been provided with central recesses in their upper ends to receive the top-string and also that tops have been provided with plugs to which the string has been attached, which plugs may be removed from the top if the top is thrown with sufficientforce beyond thelengthofthe string. I therefore do not wish to be understood as claiming, broadly, such as my invention; but

\Vhat I-do claim is A top having a rounded upper end, and

sides gradually tapered to a peg, a small re- 20 In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY O. COVERT.

Witnesses:

FRED. O. EARLE, LILLIAN D. KELSEY; 

